Requirements 2017 for getting Thai driving license with international permit?

[t2siam]

Hello Forum,

 

I have been surfing the good old Google for a while, but I get many ,many different answers on this topic...

Does somebody know recently how to get a Thai driving license, car and motorbike, in Bangkok with having an international driving license already?

Little about me: I have a Dutch driving license, an international driving license, Non-O immigrant visa, living in Thonglor, Bangkok.

 

Can somebody please help me with the Thai driving license requirements 2017 when owning a international driving license?

Also prices and location would be great!

 

Cheers!

 

[Kwasaki]

1 hour ago, t2siam said:

Can somebody please help me with the Thai driving license requirements 2017

 

 

IDP OK with your home licence and there's info top of motor forum page for a list of papers etc you need also to get a Thai DL.

Listed DLT's here.

http://driving.information.in.th/thai-dmv.html

[DGS1244]

I obtain mine by first getting my home driving licences translated into Thai then visiting the centre. I had no problem getting the Thai licence, just had a colour test. At no time did they ask for an International Driving Permit, all they are are translations, has no real use.

[MANFROMBOCA]

i got mine with an intl permit  and had to take the 3 tests color depth and stop, i no written or road test,  that was in Pattaya

[Saradoc1972]

1 hour ago, DGS1244 said:

I obtain mine by first getting my home driving licences translated into Thai then visiting the centre. I had no problem getting the Thai licence, just had a colour test. At no time did they ask for an International Driving Permit, all they are are translations, has no real use.

Do you have a home licence in English, did you have to notarize the translation of you IDP?

[James2020]

I just got my Thai DL a few days ago and posted my experience on the Thailand Elite forum, since it pertained to that thread.  Here is some information for you:

• There are several locations to obtain a DL around BKK, but the closest for you (and probably the one you have to go to anyway) is located at the Bang Chak BTS station, Exit 3.  The Office of Land Transportation has moved and is not located on Soi 62 anymore.  It's on the other side of Sukhumvit, and on the map in the BTS station.  The entrance is two short blocks from Exit 3, and the driveway is marked by a big blue sign, written only in Thai.  A short motorcycle taxi ride (10 will save you the walk down the driveway to the building. 
• I am a US citizen and my Hawaii DL is in English, so I had no translation issues.
• I needed to go to my Embassy first and get an "Affidavit of Residence" which cost 1750 B.  It was simply a form that I filled out that I entered my Thailand address on, and swore to before the Embassy officer.
• I went to Bumrungrad Hospital to obtain a "Medical Certificate", which required a brief physical (650 . I've been there  before and it's convenient for me, but I understand it can be obtained cheaper at any medical clinic.
• I needed my passport which has a Non-immigrant Type O visa, with copies of the picture page, visa, and entry stamp;  my original valid Hawaii DL with copies of the front and back; a 350 B fee for the Office of Land Transportation;  No photos are needed.  At no time did anyone ask for an International Driver's Permit from my home country.  A lady stood by a copy machine to do copies for 1 B/page.
• I had to take tests for depth perception, color vision, and side vision.  Once you understand the tests, they're not difficult.  I also had to watch a safety video with English subtitles with about 30 other people for about an hour.
• I strongly recommend taking someone who is fluent in Thai for reading signs (no English) and communicating with staff.  We arrived at 11:15 AM and there were no queues.  I finished the routine things before noon. The staff takes a break from 12-1 PM.  There is an open air food court nearby for lunch, but the food I had was pretty bad.  I watched the video at 1:00 PM.  I was out by 2:30 PM with my license.
• Only a two year temporary DL is issued the first time.  It can be renewed for a 5 year "permanent" DL.  You cannot get an International Driver's Permit with the 2 year temporary DL, only the 5 year permanent DL.  I have no idea about obtaining a motorcycle license, but I understand it is a separate document.

 

[DGS1244]

1 hour ago, Saradoc1972 said:

Do you have a home licence in English, did you have to notarize the translation of you IDP?

Answer to both. Yes 

[thongsuk]

Just go too the office when you driving License and ask for the international and thai give you the international one. you only need your thai License an your passport and 2 foto.

i make that for a weak ago and no problem. cost 500 bath.

[sometimewoodworker]

4 hours ago, DGS1244 said:

I obtain mine by first getting my home driving licences translated into Thai then visiting the centre. I had no problem getting the Thai licence, just had a colour test. At no time did they ask for an International Driving Permit, all they are are translations, has no real use.

 

The IDP certainly is of real use, and may be needed depending on the LTO office you go to. Each office can make its own requirements and in Udon my IDP was required.

Edited January 18, 2017 by sometimewoodworker

[louse1953]

4 hours ago, James2020 said:

I just got my Thai DL a few days ago and posted my experience on the Thailand Elite forum, since it pertained to that thread.  Here is some information for you:

• There are several locations to obtain a DL around BKK, but the closest for you (and probably the one you have to go to anyway) is located at the Bang Chak BTS station, Exit 3.  The Office of Land Transportation has moved and is not located on Soi 62 anymore.  It's on the other side of Sukhumvit, and on the map in the BTS station.  The entrance is two short blocks from Exit 3, and the driveway is marked by a big blue sign, written only in Thai.  A short motorcycle taxi ride (10 will save you the walk down the driveway to the building. 
• I am a US citizen and my Hawaii DL is in English, so I had no translation issues.
• I needed to go to my Embassy first and get an "Affidavit of Residence" which cost 1750 B.  It was simply a form that I filled out that I entered my Thailand address on, and swore to before the Embassy officer.
• I went to Bumrungrad Hospital to obtain a "Medical Certificate", which required a brief physical (650 . I've been there  before and it's convenient for me, but I understand it can be obtained cheaper at any medical clinic.
• I needed my passport which has a Non-immigrant Type O visa, with copies of the picture page, visa, and entry stamp;  my original valid Hawaii DL with copies of the front and back; a 350 B fee for the Office of Land Transportation;  No photos are needed.  At no time did anyone ask for an International Driver's Permit from my home country.  A lady stood by a copy machine to do copies for 1 B/page.
• I had to take tests for depth perception, color vision, and side vision.  Once you understand the tests, they're not difficult.  I also had to watch a safety video with English subtitles with about 30 other people for about an hour.
• I strongly recommend taking someone who is fluent in Thai for reading signs (no English) and communicating with staff.  We arrived at 11:15 AM and there were no queues.  I finished the routine things before noon. The staff takes a break from 12-1 PM.  There is an open air food court nearby for lunch, but the food I had was pretty bad.  I watched the video at 1:00 PM.  I was out by 2:30 PM with my license.
• Only a two year temporary DL is issued the first time.  It can be renewed for a 5 year "permanent" DL.  You cannot get an International Driver's Permit with the 2 year temporary DL, only the 5 year permanent DL.  I have no idea about obtaining a motorcycle license, but I understand it is a separate document.

 

Jeez mate,you like paying through the nose.A medical at a local clinic will cost under 100 baht,mine was 30 baht.Checked my pulse,which is slow,after finding it and declaring me alive,got the fit to drive letter.Your local IO will give you a cert of resi,ranging from free to 200 baht,up to them.

[Kwasaki]

19 hours ago, sometimewoodworker said:

 

The IDP certainly is of real use, and may be needed depending on the LTO office you go to. Each office can make its own requirements and in Udon my IDP was required.

 

Agree IDP is of use depending on what country and type the DL is from.

[Lokie]

23 hours ago, MANFROMBOCA said:

i got mine with an intl permit  and had to take the 3 tests color depth and stop, i no written or road test,  that was in Pattaya

I done same in Phuket 8 weeks ago, just done stop test and colour test, got both Motorbike and Car  (had my UK licence shows both bike and car ) with IDP was in/out within the hour - get there early

[t2siam]

On 18-1-2017 at 9:52 PM, louse1953 said:

Jeez mate,you like paying through the nose.A medical at a local clinic will cost under 100 baht,mine was 30 baht.Checked my pulse,which is slow,after finding it and declaring me alive,got the fit to drive letter.Your local IO will give you a cert of resi,ranging from free to 200 baht,up to them.

 

On 18-1-2017 at 4:50 PM, James2020 said:

I just got my Thai DL a few days ago and posted my experience on the Thailand Elite forum, since it pertained to that thread.  Here is some information for you:

• There are several locations to obtain a DL around BKK, but the closest for you (and probably the one you have to go to anyway) is located at the Bang Chak BTS station, Exit 3.  The Office of Land Transportation has moved and is not located on Soi 62 anymore.  It's on the other side of Sukhumvit, and on the map in the BTS station.  The entrance is two short blocks from Exit 3, and the driveway is marked by a big blue sign, written only in Thai.  A short motorcycle taxi ride (10 will save you the walk down the driveway to the building. 
• I am a US citizen and my Hawaii DL is in English, so I had no translation issues.
• I needed to go to my Embassy first and get an "Affidavit of Residence" which cost 1750 B.  It was simply a form that I filled out that I entered my Thailand address on, and swore to before the Embassy officer.
• I went to Bumrungrad Hospital to obtain a "Medical Certificate", which required a brief physical (650 . I've been there  before and it's convenient for me, but I understand it can be obtained cheaper at any medical clinic.
• I needed my passport which has a Non-immigrant Type O visa, with copies of the picture page, visa, and entry stamp;  my original valid Hawaii DL with copies of the front and back; a 350 B fee for the Office of Land Transportation;  No photos are needed.  At no time did anyone ask for an International Driver's Permit from my home country.  A lady stood by a copy machine to do copies for 1 B/page.
• I had to take tests for depth perception, color vision, and side vision.  Once you understand the tests, they're not difficult.  I also had to watch a safety video with English subtitles with about 30 other people for about an hour.
• I strongly recommend taking someone who is fluent in Thai for reading signs (no English) and communicating with staff.  We arrived at 11:15 AM and there were no queues.  I finished the routine things before noon. The staff takes a break from 12-1 PM.  There is an open air food court nearby for lunch, but the food I had was pretty bad.  I watched the video at 1:00 PM.  I was out by 2:30 PM with my license.
• Only a two year temporary DL is issued the first time.  It can be renewed for a 5 year "permanent" DL.  You cannot get an International Driver's Permit with the 2 year temporary DL, only the 5 year permanent DL.  I have no idea about obtaining a motorcycle license, but I understand it is a separate document.

 

 

Thx for the info. James! Cheers

[Ahab]

If you have a yellow tambien bahn (book) and pink Thai ID, is a certificate of residency from the embassy still required?

[MINIMIGLIA]

18 minutes ago, Ahab said:

If you have a yellow tambien bahn (book) and pink Thai ID, is a certificate of residency from the embassy still required?

No not where I live.

[Ahab]

2 hours ago, MINIMIGLIA said:

No not where I live.

Thanks, that is what I was thinking, but it is not so clear on some of these threads.

 

thanks

[jimbob333]

An update of sorts,I had a Temp Thai Motorbike and car Licence that expired ( I was back in UK).

So renewed my IDP and popped in today with my full UK licence,IDP and details,they are now insisting I take a written test and watch the videos as my Temp Thai Licence has expired,so even though my IDP and UK licence is in date they want me to sit through all that crap.

So lesson I have learnt and would advice is Do Not Let Your Temp DL expire

[sometimewoodworker]

On 31/07/2017 at 6:35 PM, jimbob333 said:

An update of sorts,I had a Temp Thai Motorbike and car Licence that expired ( I was back in UK).

So renewed my IDP and popped in today with my full UK licence,IDP and details,they are now insisting I take a written test and watch the videos as my Temp Thai Licence has expired,so even though my IDP and UK licence is in date they want me to sit through all that crap.

So lesson I have learnt and would advice is Do Not Let Your Temp DL expire

The thing you forgot to say was by how long your licence was expired.

probably over 1 year but less than 3

 

If that was not the case then try a different DLT office that knows and follows the current rules

 

1. IN CASE OF DRIVING LICENCE EXPIRED MORE THAN 1 YEAR
   - TAKE A THEORY TEST
2. 2
   IN CASE OF DRIVING LICENCE EXPIRED MORE THAN 3 YEARS
   - TAKE A THEORY TEST AND PRACTICAL TEST

 

if you have had a Thail licence then a licence from another country is irrelevant it is only your Thail licence that has any relevance.

 

Tip. Know the rules and laws of the country you visit or live in. Also don't let your licence expire bu more than 3 years, see above.

[BEVUP]

In the process

So far got Medical cert from St Mary's Hospital ( 200 bht ) - Colour & eye test & the usual BP/Weight by nurses then seen doc who chatted to wife & all ok

Cert. of Residency 500 bht from Immi 

Went to Jo Ho DLT at appr. 10 am & was told it was extremely busy, with the choice of parking down the road (try again latter )

[kellio]

There seems to be so many conflicting opinions and experiences it's difficult to know what to expect.
However, I know this. 
I went to the Pattaya branch on last Tuesday 8th August taking with me all the required documents mentioned in previous posts including my IDP and my current Australian drivers licence.
I was told by the girl there that I would need to make an appointment to attend a day of watching videos following by a written test and return the next day to undergo reflex and sight tests followed a manual driving test for both car and motor bike. as I have both on my IDP.

When I mentioned that I'd had a Thai licence which had expired some 10 years ago, she told me that because I'd had a Thai licence previously, they would issue me with a 3 year licence instead of the normal 2 year licence everyone else gets.

Is it possible that the reason I have to undergo all the hassle is because  I'm being penalized because I'd let my previous  Thai licence expire. or is it that they've very recently changed the rules?

[BEVUP]

6 hours ago, kellio said:

There seems to be so many conflicting opinions and experiences it's difficult to know what to expect.
However, I know this. 
I went to the Pattaya branch on last Tuesday 8th August taking with me all the required documents mentioned in previous posts including my IDP and my current Australian drivers licence.
I was told by the girl there that I would need to make an appointment to attend a day of watching videos following by a written test and return the next day to undergo reflex and sight tests followed a manual driving test for both car and motor bike. as I have both on my IDP.

When I mentioned that I'd had a Thai licence which had expired some 10 years ago, she told me that because I'd had a Thai licence previously, they would issue me with a 3 year licence instead of the normal 2 year licence everyone else gets.

Is it possible that the reason I have to undergo all the hassle is because  I'm being penalized because I'd let my previous  Thai licence expire. or is it that they've very recently changed the rules?

 

Edited August 14, 2017 by BEVUP
message logged out

[BEVUP]

Depends on branch

All i needed was Auss lic.

Did the 3 physical test & 30 min of video

In at 8am out 11.30 am ( confused about Aussie Lic.)

[sometimewoodworker]

On 14/08/2017 at 10:11 AM, kellio said:

There seems to be so many conflicting opinions and experiences it's difficult to know what to expect.
However, I know this. 
I went to the Pattaya branch on last Tuesday 8th August taking with me all the required documents mentioned in previous posts including my IDP and my current Australian drivers licence.
I was told by the girl there that I would need to make an appointment to attend a day of watching videos following by a written test and return the next day to undergo reflex and sight tests followed a manual driving test for both car and motor bike. as I have both on my IDP.

When I mentioned that I'd had a Thai licence which had expired some 10 years ago, she told me that because I'd had a Thai licence previously, they would issue me with a 3 year licence instead of the normal 2 year licence everyone else gets.

Is it possible that the reason I have to undergo all the hassle is because  I'm being penalized because I'd let my previous  Thai licence expire. or is it that they've very recently changed the rules?

There is no penalisation. You let your Thai licence expire by more than 3 years. If you look at my post above you will see that the official is just following the rules.

 

Once you have had a licence most countries will not permit the less strict licence conversion option a second time and you need to keep it up to date.

 

However there is nothing stopping you from going to different LTO offices and trying your luck without telling them about your previous Thai licence.

 

A point that makes me suspect that the you spoke to doesn't know the rules is that there is no provision in the rules for a 3 year licence AFIK and if you were told you had to do the writing and driving tests before you mentioned you expired licence then that was incorrect. 

Edited August 16, 2017 by sometimewoodworker

[BEVUP]

On 8/14/2017 at 4:46 PM, BEVUP said:

Depends on branch

All i needed was Auss lic.

Did the 3 physical test & 30 min of video

In at 8am out 11.30 am ( confused about Aussie Lic.)

You blokes need to read this again

[sometimewoodworker]

On 16/08/2017 at 8:06 AM, BEVUP said:

You blokes need to read this again

Sure, my 1 year and 5 year licences were even faster as I didn't need to watch any videos.

[Bryanllc]

Hello everyone, I wanted to ask if any of you did their driving licence recently`at BangChak branch. I have read many posts that documents need to be filled in Thai only. Is it true or I can fill it in English. And also, do they provide english application form nowadays? Thanks

[metisdead]

A post using ALL CAPS has been removed, please turn off your Caps Lock when posting. 

[the freddie]

 

hello forum

i have already a thai driver license for motorbike

the license is experimg in octber 2018

i would like renew it in febbruary 2018,so 8 mounths earlier

i went to phuket town office ,

at informations desk the lady told me,"not before 2mounths than experied date"

but in my opnion ,she didn't look absolutly so self conviced that she answerd

 

maybe someone knows exactly the rule about a earlier renew,and can find this rule in english too?

i apologize for my english

thanks in advance

 

[sometimewoodworker]

On 23/12/2017 at 3:23 PM, the freddie said:

 

hello forum

i have already a thai driver license for motorbike

the license is experimg in octber 2018

i would like renew it in febbruary 2018,so 8 mounths earlier

i went to phuket town office ,

at informations desk the lady told me,"not before 2mounths than experied date"

but in my opnion ,she didn't look absolutly so self conviced that she answerd

 

maybe someone knows exactly the rule about a earlier renew,and can find this rule in english too?

i apologize for my english

thanks in advance

 

You probably can't find that in English but I'm not surprised.

 

The website only talks about the requirements for an expired licence and the tests you need to take after the licence is  1 and 3 years expired

[Vulmix]

Have just been to Dept of Land Transport in Bangkok, hoping to use my valid international driving licence to get a Thai licence. BUT I have the 1968 version which is no longer accepted, so now have to get my local French licence translated and then stamped at the embassy before having another go. See attached photo for list of required documents. 1949 version of IDL is the only one they will accept at the moment.